brakes went out...........yikes!!!!!

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Old Sep 15, 2010 | 11:01 PM
  #1  
bigwillystyle's Avatar
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From: Hollister California
brakes went out...........yikes!!!!!

I have a 71 Cutlass, front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
The problem that I have is that my brakes went out............ I have no pedal resistance when the car is off and no resistance when the car is running.
The master cylinder has fluid, and I have no leaks in any of my brake lines. Could the problem be because of the seal behind the master cylinder or is would my brake booster be bad? Or if anybody has any other logical answers I am all ears. thanks bigwillystyle
Old Sep 16, 2010 | 05:41 AM
  #2  
Lady72nRob71's Avatar
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From: Plano, TX
Hope this happened at low speed!
If the pedal goes to the floor, then the master cylinder's internal seals failed.
Time to change it and maybe rebuild the booster "while it is apart"...
Old Sep 16, 2010 | 06:14 AM
  #3  
Olds64's Avatar
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From: Edmond, OK
I've experienced this before. I had to replace my master cylinder. I just got a new master cylinder and vacuum booster from the auto parts store. It was less than $150.
Old Sep 16, 2010 | 09:49 AM
  #4  
Shizzy's Avatar
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From: six one two
are you getting any pressure to any wheel? is there any fluid leakage between the master and the booster?

I also had the same issue and it the master was leaking out the back.
Old Sep 16, 2010 | 10:37 AM
  #5  
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From: Northeast Ohio
There is that thing called an "Emergency Brake" by the lower left kick panel.
If that don't work throw it in low, open the door and drag your foot on the ground, hope there's a curb to run it up against and and pull the drag chute.
That foot dragging is why people use to get cleats on their shoes.

If it was the booster it would feel like there's a brick under the brake pedal, I vote master cylinder x many.

Bricks do make really good parking brakes.
Old Sep 16, 2010 | 10:56 AM
  #6  
Olds64's Avatar
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From: Edmond, OK
You can also test the vacuum booster by depressing the brake pedal all the way down and starting the car. Once the car starts engine vacuum should pull the pedal down a bit. If this doesn't happen then your vacuum booster is bad.
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